Decline
Withdrawal of the Class 40s started in 1976, when three locomotives (40 005, 40 039 and 40 102) were taken out of service. At over 130 tons the Class were by then considered underpowered. In addition, some were found to be suffering from fractures of the plate-frame bogies (due mainly to inappropriate use on wagon-load freight and the associated running into tightly curved yards), and spares were also needed to keep other locomotives running.
Also, many Class 40s were not fitted with air braking, leaving them unable to haul more modern freight and passenger vehicles. Despite this, only seventeen had been withdrawn by the start of the 1980s. The locomotives became more popular with railway enthusiasts as their numbers started to dwindle.
Withdrawals then picked up apace, with the non-air brake fitted locomotives taking the brunt of the decline. In 1981, all 130 remaining locomotives were concentrated in the London Midland region of BR. Classified works overhauls on the Class 40's were also gradually phased out, only 29 members of the class had a full classified in 1980, and the final two emerged resplendent from Crewe Works in 1981. The honour of the very last classified overhaul falls to 40167 being complete in February 1981.
After that, numbers dwindled slowly until by the end of 1984 there were only sixteen still running. These included the pioneer locomotive, 40 122, which having been withdrawn in 1981, was re-instated in July 1983 and painted in the original green livery to haul rail enthusiasts' specials. The last passenger run by a Class 40 apart from 40 122 occurred on 27 January 1985, when 40 012 hauled a train from Birmingham New Street to York. All the remaining locomotives except 40 122 were withdrawn the next day.
The majority of Class 40's were cut up at Crewe, Doncaster, and Swindon works. Crewe works dismantled the most 40's, the totals are listed below.
- Crewe Works cut 65 locos
- Doncaster Works cut 64 locos
- Swindon Works cut 54 locos.
The other 11 machines were cut at Derby, Glasgow, Inverkeithing, and Vic Berries at Leicester.
1981 and 1983 were the worst years for Class 40 withdrawals, a total of 41 being withdrawn both years.
The very last Class 40's to be cut up were 40091 and 40195 by A. Hampton contractors at Crewe works in December 1988.
| Year | Quantity in service at start of year |
Quantity withdrawn |
Locomotive number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 200 | 1 | D322 | Accident damage |
| 1976 | 199 | 11 | 40 005, 021, 039, 041, 043, 045, 053, 089, 102, 189, 190 | 40039 never received B.R blue livery. |
| 1977 | 188 | 4 | 40 048, 054, 059, 072 | |
| 1978 | 184 | 1 | 40 051 | Vacuum brake only |
| 1980 | 183 | 20 | 40011, 026, 038, 040, 042, 071, 100, 105, 108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 119, 123, 142, 146, 147, 156, 161 | |
| 1981 | 163 | 41 | 40010, 014, 016, 017, 018, 019, 023, 031, 032, 037, 062, 065, 066, 067, 070, 075, 078, 083, 095, 098, 107, 111, 113, 116, 117, 120, 122, 125, 134, 137, 144, 149, 151, 165, 171, 173, 175, 176, 178, 179, 193 | 40122 would be reinstated 24 April 1983.
40010 withdrawn only 14 months after receiving a full classified works overhaul. |
| 1982 | 122 | 32 | 40003, 008, 020, 025, 036, 055, 064, 087, 088, 092, 094, 101, 103, 115, 127, 128, 130, 132, 136, 138, 139, 140, 148, 154, 162, 163, 166, 182, 184, 186, 187, 199 | 40183 was due for an E exam, the loco was withdrawn but then reinstated and given E exam 8 September 1982. Final withdrawal came on 1 June 1983 with bogie fractures. |
| 1983 | 90 | 41 | 40006, 007, 027, 030, 046, 049, 050, 052, 061, 068, 069, 073, 076, 077, 080, 081, 084, 090, 093, 096, 097, 106, 121, 131, 141, 145, 153, 157, 158, 159, 164, 169, 170, 172, 180, 183, 185, 188, 191, 197, 198 | 40185 withdrawn 2yrs overdue a classified works repair.
40076 provided bogies for the restoration of 40122. |
| 1984 | 49 | 33 | 40001, 002, 004, 009, 015, 022, 024, 028, 029, 033, 034, 035, 047, 056, 057, 058, 063, 074, 082, 085, 091, 099, 124, 126, 129, 133, 160, 167, 168, 174, 177, 195, 196 | 40009 the last vacuum braked Class 40 withdrawn 7 November 1984 with bearings and traction motor problems. |
| 1985 | 16 | 16 | 40012, 013, 044, 060, 079, 086, 104, 118, 135, 143, 150, 152, 155, 181, 192, 194 | All locos were switched off surplus to requirements or life expired by 22 January 1985. |
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